Hi Hugh, I recently bought a copy of 50 wonders of the world. Just wanted to let you know how much I have been enjoying it. Besides the great photo’s I like your writing style. I just turned 50 years old and have lived in Hawaii for over 30 years–originally from Ohio. I have a beautiful Hula dancer wife and a bright 16 year old son. I have read all my life and always marvel at someone that can wrtie as you do. (I have been savoring the introduction–i’ll stop–look at what you are talking about then go back to the introduction). Just wanted to say Mahalo (thank-you) Jack

Hey Mr. Thomson,
My teacher just got your book “50 wonders of the world” and he reads us one wonder of the world that you wrote about everyday. I can tell that my teacher really enjoys this book because I think he already read it all and he got it for Christmas. I also really enjoy the book. I find your book so interesting and I just LOVE the pictures in the book. The pictures are just so beautiful! I find it amazing how you travel all over the world and you are able to pick out 50 of your favorite places that you have visited. I am only a sophomore in high school and I can not wait to be able to travel all over the world and see a lot of these places.

Hi Hugh. I have now finished Cochineal Red. It was wonderful and thought provoking as well as entertaining. I will now read White Rock for sure. You made me romantically wish I had known some of this when I was younger and able to be adventurous. How I would have loved to have gone there to see the wonders and perhaps even participated in investigations.

Hi Hugh. My husband just got a copy of Tequila Oil, recently released here in Sydney, Australia. We loved your book, I’m from Mexico City and I really enjoyed reading it, not so many writers can explain with great humor and honesty some Mexican issues, and you do it magnificently!. Is Sydney in your agenda? We’ll be very pleased to meet you.

Just finished reading Tequila Oil. Thanks for writing a very interesting and entertaining book. One question though: do you really honestly truly not care about what happened to the Oldsmobile? Never ever tried to find out?

Hugh, I am reading The White Rock now, in the wake of my very recent trip to Peru. Your book is the perfect follow-up to what turned out to be a trip of a lifetime. Just want you to know how much I am enjoying WR and to thank you for the hard work it represents. Reading it feels like a conversation with an expert.

Hi Hugh: I just finished The White Rock few minutes ago. To be honest with you I almost dropped it after few dozen pages due to the lightness of your approach to our geography and culture. I know you were 21 when you started, but it made me cringe some times (e.g. no medecines, dropping the frame of your tent, no evident use of mosquito repellent, etc.). Then I started to appreciate how you challenged well-established views of the Incas, their empire and of the Conquistadores. Also, I found your style of writing extremely entertaining while interposing quite often the human aspect in your trips!(not just the ruins, I loved that). I have just returned from el Valle Sagrado after my third trip to Cuzco and my first to Wayna Picchu and I wish I would have read your book before this trip. I’ll now move on to Martin de Murua and Felipe Huaman Poma. Siga caminando, Senhor Hugo, todavia le queda mucho. Thank you.

Hola Hugh: I loved every page of Cochineal Red. It was very informative and entertaining and seeing all those places through your eyes was quite extraordinary. You are an honorary Peruvian soul. Now, I am looking forward to revisit a few of those places when I go back home next year. Thank you so much for writing the book.
Can you please let me know what was the temperature at night and at the middle of the day at the Sinakara valley, as well as during the nightime ceremony of the Qoyllurit’i festival?
Regards from Toronto.

thanks Ana – sorry to say I am really bad at recording temperatures so I can’t answer your question – other than to say that the night was unbelievably cold, as you would expect at that altitude in the Andes

Hello Hugh
I have just purchased The White Rock and Cochineal Red to add to my growing library of books on Peru/Inca history. Your accounts are truly fascinating and adding to my limited knowledge of this amazing chapter in the history of Peru.
I write fiction and am working on my second book(details of my first on my website). I use the vehicle of past-life to wrap two stories together. My new book is a mamouth task with the ‘modern’ story set in the 30’s when the Graf Zeppelin began plying the route from Germany to Brazil, and the past-life is set in Peru roughly between 1532 and 1540 (not there yet so may change end date). I love the research that writing these stories allows and am still finding new aspects of the country’s history to engage my readers.
The book’s working title is ‘Spirit of the Jaguar’ and will revolve around a legend concerning jaguars/mountains/gold,(mining and hidden Inca treasure) which will be the calcalist in both parts of the story.
I have searched in vain so far for reference to Jaguar’s as gods in Peruvian civilisations. For the moment I have taken the Mayan and Aztec references to Jaguar gods (Balam – god of mountains)until I can improve on this. There must be a strong significance re jaguars in Peru because of the jaguar shaped ground-plan used at Cuzco and the fact that they are incorporated in the Cuzco flag. The only other reference was on wikipedia under mythology and culture stating the jaguar god concept under Chavin and Moche cultures where the jaguar was a symbol of power and strength.
Can you please help me find any other reference to myths and legends and folklore around the jaguar? I have written my own ‘Legend of the jaguar’ to go with the book, but I would like to test my imaginative legend against something more tangeable. Sorry this request is a little obscure but I hope you can help me. Best wishes, Susan Pope

Dear Susan – it’s a fascinating question but not sure I can answer it – as you know, Inca art is not very figurative, although there is a fine feline statue at Sahuite (Puma, Jaguar?) – and they did not have the zoomorphic pantheon of gods of some other cultures. Perhaps other readers can help? – Hugh

I just finished reading ‘Tequila Oil’ and it got me incredibly nostalgic about the travelling I did in South America on my Gap Year. While I was out there, I did a blog for STA travel. The Americas have always fascinated me, with all its possibilities for discovery, and getting lost and finding some real characters!

What particularly fascinated me about my trip to South America was the spectacular feats of the Incas and their physical strength! I felt dwarfed by just the ‘bricks’ they built their building with, let alone the buildings themselves. Even today, the people of the Andes seem to possess incredible strength. When we were at Macchu Picchu, not only did they carry a lot of our bags but also one of our party who fell ill!

Anyway, what I was just wondering was if you had any advice for doing some travel writing as a profession? I listed my website up above, but at present it barely has any publicity.

Dear Hugh
Reference my previous request re jaguar myths and legends, thank you for your response. I have refered to the Sahuite statue in a footnote to my ‘legend’. The storyline of the legend is pure fiction, but I hope it has a ring of possible truth. I am still researching and reading lots of books, yours and others. I have just aquired David M Jones encyclopedia of Myths and Religions of the Incas. Lots of lovely illustrations but not much info that I didn’t already know – and still no named Jaguar gods. So I think my fictional account might have to remain. I love reading about your travels in Peru, but would have liked more pictures. Your descriptions are superb, but seeing makes understanding easier. Guess it all comes down to cost.
Best wishes, Susan Pope

We’ve just returned from Machu Picchu, and wanted to thank you for your wonderful books. Here’s what we wrote on our website about them:

“Books: We read a bunch of books about Peru before we went. We started with some of the travel guides, and found most of them helpful but not complete. After all, most of them gave a page or two to the Inka Trail, and another page or two about Machu Picchu. We wanted more. We read Hyram Binghams book about discovering Machu Picchu—and learned as much about the romantic imagination of old Hyram as we did about the Incas. But there were a few books we really loved.

For the archeology and culture of the Andes, Hugh Thomson’s books are simply wonderful. We started with The White Rock, which is the story of his first dig in Peru–quite near Machu Picchu. But even better is his A Sacred Landscape–the story of the key archeological sites throughout Peru, and the cultures who made them and the people who discovered them. That may sound a bit dry, but Hugh Thomson manages to tell a great story, include moments of lovely dry humor, and weave it all into something that is as readable as a good novel as he travels from site to site. This isn’t just one of our favorite books about Peru—it’s one of the best books we’ve read in the last few years!”

Peru was wonderful…and we look foward to exploring more of it with your help!

Hello Hugh:
I applaud you on the two books concerning Peru. You have lived the life that I wanted since I first learned about Peru at age 6 from my mother. I am a Spanish teacher in Ohio, but while on summer vacation in Montana, I’m reading and researching from the many books and journal articles cited in your books. My goal is to learn as much as possible before enrolling in a university in Peru. My question is this: where are you going next in Peru?
Thank you for writing two books that fueled my desire to change the direction of my life. Please continue to write about your travels in Peru. Best wishes in all you do, Jo Anne

Will you be posting any comments from your upcoming Peru travels on this site? I’d love to read about your experiences, if possible. Also, aside from the novel that you’re working on, do you have plans to write a third book about your Peruvian explorations? Thank you for your responses.

Really enjoying reading “The White Rock” and this led me to your website and blog. It says that you “will be presenting a BBC Radio 4 documentary on Hiram Bingham”: when was this or (better) when will it be, please? Not found under events but will for sure be worth listening to. Will it coincide with 24 July?? Please post the broadcast time for us.

spelling error page 273 line 3 Baedeland otherwise White Rock is perfect. I have been exploring alone since 1972.Mexico and Guatemala. Last trip went to El Mirador. thinking of going there for the long count celebrations of 2012. cant seem to write creatively like you . lots of photos. any tips? Cochineal Red next.. thanks V

Yes, burning makes sense for clearings, but not always for trails. I can’t imagine them doing too much burning to keep the existing built-up clearings and trails free from overgrowth. I guess they had a sharp hand tool and a lot of hands for maintenance.

I just read your book The White Rock while leading a group of young adventurers on expedition in Peru. I was working for Outlook Expeditions, UK.

What fascinated me the most was being able to relate my own experiences as they were happening to your travels – the same places more or less and the differences in what you experienced and what I was experiencing whether it be people, places forms of travel, but mostly how the country has changed in just such a short time…

The book was a great read and it along with my experiences in Peru has fired me up for another more individual visit – either a descent of the Urubamba (particularly from Quillabamba downstream) or with my friend a horseback and mule supported South to North traverse…

Hi Hugh, Ive read Tequila Oil and wanted to say thanks. For reminding me of a wee holiday in Mexico a lifetime ago, and for returning me to the pleasant pastime of armchair travelling. I’m now looking forward to our adventures in Peru and the Himalayas…see you soon

I first reaf The White Rock many years ago, and have since read it at least 8 times. A superb read.

Ia m glad to see you hav revisited Espiritu Pampa and that it is now receiving more interest.

Incidently, I have used Google Earth to locate most of the main Inca centres, however, Llactapata cannot be seen. I have located where it would be from photos on your and Gary Zieglers websites, but can see no trace. Is the Jungle that thick or would most of the Ruins be under the small cloud showing on Google?!

Frustrating – the Llactapata complex satellite image is largely cloud covered and subject to unusually poor resolution on Google Earth. As you have likely discovered, nearby Machu Picchu has excellent coverage plus the advantage of being kept completely clear of encroaching cloud forest vegetation. All but Llactapata Sector I, the Sun Temple group, has been allowed to return to obscurity. Little can now be seen presently, either from the air or on the ground. It seems this important archaeological satellite of Machu Picchu is destined to obscurity having little tourist potential. As we report in Peru’s professional journal, Revista Andina, the architecture is not impressive because of fragile metamorphic construction necessitated by the in situ bed rock there differing from the hard granites of Machu Picchu. The reconstructed Inca trail through Llactapata is used by popular trekking companies like Mountain Lodges. Sadly, most of the guides seem to have no knowledge of the significance of, or extent of the ruins that they lead their groups through.

I’m very interested in any travels with you that I may be able to join in mid-June through mid-August. I’m a Spanish teacher who is extremely obsessed with Peru. Honestly, your two books inspired me to change careers and reignited my obsession with Peru. Thanks for any information and please continuing publishing books! You live the life that I truly want one day!

Hugh:
I enjoyed reading “The White Rock” before traveling to Cuzco, Machu Picchu, and Manu NP several years ago.
After viewing episode 9 on Vimeo earlier today, I’m wondering if the full version of “Dancing in the Street” is available on DVD or any other digital format? Your production is chock full of information and detail from an era of great rock music.
Best regards!

Hello Mr. Thomson:
I just finished reading the White Rock, for the second time, I did the Inca Trail in 1975. I am amazed at what I missed, that was so close. Oh well. Thank you very much really enjoyed the book.
THROUGH THE EYES OF CHILDREN

Today alone within myself,
Reaching out to nature for a reason for being.
To discover a place, my chance for existence,
Remembering a time way back in my past,
When I met the children with those smiling eyes.

So high in the mountains of that ancient realm,
They seemed to know what to say before they were asked.
So happy they were, so simple and proud.
Little did they know of the “World”, beyond their valley?
Which, the Spanish never found.

The Incas, their forefathers molded their life,
Deep in the Andes, carved from solid stone.
Artists they were, sculpting silver and gold,
Almost everything was destroyed by Pizzaro and his Spanish guns.
He was thought to be a messenger from the Sun,
With an Indian whore, that was paid to steal.

Their eyes told the story, the plunder of their land,
Though not a sad word was spoken on that bright sunny day,
So high in the mountains, forgotten by time.
Back again, to this cool rainy afternoon,
Awakened by a falling leaf, drifting across in front of me,
What was is now, just a memory.

I’m off to Peru in 4 weeks on my honeymoon to trek from La Paz through Lake titicaca, Puno, Cuzco, Lares valley to Machu Picchu, Sacred valley and Ollantaytambo, Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Nazca and finally Lima. (romantic, eh?)
I read The white rock and Cochaneal Red a few weeks ago and have just started to read The White Rock again, (I’ll be reading them on a loop for the next few weeks I’m sure). Both books have whetted my appetite to be there beyond belief, creating in me a kind of kid waiting for Christmas kind of deal!
Was just wondering if you have any short tips on things to look out for in the areas we are visiting, or any general advice for that matter. Already I am more interesed in Andean culture and the enigmatic Inca than the culture/history of most other places I’ve visited put together!!!! Thus my appetite to learn as much as possible (for someone with a goldfish like memory) is pretty extensive.
Hoping to read tequilla oil soon too, I was in Mexico and stayed in a Nahuatl village called Pilateno near Xilitla 5 years ago and it immensely, so I’m looking forward to reading of your experiences of Mexico too.

As a bit of a photographer myself and loving photo-documentary books I was wondering if you had any plans to produce any such book, with photos perhaps showing the likes of Llactapata and other such places as opposed to the more well known Machu Picchu ones. Or would you be able to recommend any publications like this. Having been introduced to Martin Chambi after reading White Rock I’d love to see more insightful images of Andean life.

John Hemming’s ‘Monuments of the Incas’ is a wonderful book with pictures by Ed Ranney of lesser-known Inca sites and has been reprinted recently by Thames and Hudson. Lares valley is a wonderful place for weaving and sure you will see some fine local examples. Have a great luna de miel! Hugh

Hello, today I received our Saga magazine and on page 59 we noticed a photograph of some old drover’s steps along a woodland path.. They look exactly like some we have here in Downley in Buckinghamshire, My husband and I were out walking in March and I attempted to climb the similar looking steps and promptly fell off them near the top doing some damage to my back, I was lucky I didn’t do more. It just came as such a surprise to see this little picture but I fully realise that there must be hundreds around the country. I read comments from people who have read your books and I am going to buy the one titled ‘The Green Road into Trees’ for my husband’s 70th birthday, I just know he will love it as he walks regularly in the Chilterns where we are lucky to live.

last week I went to Llaqtapata
only saw 1 sector cleaned, in the highest part, was that sector 3 or sector 1? It has one huge building and there are remains of houses or deposits near. In between is that walkway you are writing about. It is deteorating more I think. They put some ‘palos’ to avoid the walls falling down.
Tried to enter in the woods to find the houses, but all is covered and we didn’t have a machete.
The family that is living below is planning to start a kind of hostal, they built a place where you can sit under a roof.
The trail is very nice to walk!! What is the sign “Punkalloc” in the pass referring to? We didn’t see any special thing.
I have some pictures, send me an email if you want to see them,
greetings, Dineke Veerman, Dutch tourleader and teacher, have lived in Cusco 1996-2005, having done a lot of hiking

I forgot to add to come back here again after my Luna de Miel and say thanks again. The all too short month in Peru was fantastic. From the friendly folk in Lima to the somewhat indifferent but ultimately kind and friendly people of Titicaca and the higher Andes. The experience was nothing short of priceless, we got closer than expected to camen and various spiders in the Amazon, had to break thick ice from my morning wash bowl on the Lares Valley trek, were robbed in Arequipa and had to call in the consulate for help with the most uncooperative tourist police in the world, but, now, even that is tinted with the rosy glow of nostalgia already! I wouldn’t change a thing, (OK maybe the being robbed bit).
The highlights for me were the historic aspects of the trips, Pisac, Ollantaytambo and of course Machu Picchu, among many others both Inca and more ancient. In no small part having read (twice each) The White Rock and Cochaneal Red, helped the places come to life more than just wandering round. While there I heard so many different accounts of sites and their histories from guides, fellow travellers, locals and literature that it was hard to sort the wheat from the chaff, but having read up before hand helped me to feel that I had a more reasoned and balanced idea of the best current theories than I otherwise would have.
If I’d had time I would have loved to have a look for Llactapata but sadly time did not permit it. I looked (through a big zoom lens) for it from the higher ground at Machu Picchu at where I had estimated it to be prior to the trip, I’m not sure if what I thought to be a small cleared area was it though. Aw well, it will help me to try that bit harder to bring about a ‘next time’ to go find it!
Many thanks again for helping to make a great trip that bit better.

Hi Hugh
I’m currently reading The White Rock in anticipation of a trip to Peru in April 2013 and am thoroughly enjoying it. Much to my delight (but not surprise!) I just discovered you are also responsible for the wonderful Indian Journey series (of which, unfortunatley, I only saw the stunning City of Djinns). I have been trying to find this series on DVD for many years. Do you know where I might purchase a copy?
Many thanks Hugh – and thank you for the wonderful inspiration!
Jem
Australia

Hi Hugh
This follows enquiries I made with you sometime ago re Peruvian Jaguar gods. I am still writing the same novel! Good job writing is not my main source of bread and butter. Am I bit stuck on details of the rail-link from Cuzco to Machu Picchu. My characters are journeying in 1931. Far as I can find out the railway terminated at Aguas Calientes at that date. So my group of travellers continue on horseback. I don’t know when the rail link to Machu Picchu was completed, only your info that it was destroyed by the earthquake in the fifties. As you well know Martin Chambi, the Cuzco based photographer, travelled regularly to MP, sometimes just for lunch or tea! so the journey could not have been an arduous one during his lifetime. Any thoughts you could share with me on this would be appreciated.
Kind regards,
Susan Pope

I loved Cochineal Red, which I’ve consumed in the Metro in the bowels of Washington DC and on a commuter bus to Annapolis Maryland. I wish I had read the book before we traveled to Peru, as it would have provided excellent context. Plus, I would’ve asked around in Urubamba when we stayed there (do you know this guy?). Happily, this wonderful book has opened up new opportunities for us to explore beyond Macchu Picchu and the Sacred Valley. Trujillo is our next destination and White Rock is my next book! Thanks Hugh. I’ve become a groupie.